Technician
Does this define us? While relatively infrequent, hate speech has large impact on campus community. Story By Joshua Chappell | photos By Joseph bond and luis zapata
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According to Jon Barnwell, patrol division commander for Campus Police, the University averages only a small amount of hate incidents annually. “We average zero to one hate crimes reported per year with five or less reported hate-biased incidents not involving crime,” Barnwell said. Barnwell said most hate incidents involve damage to personal property. He also said the GLBT community is targeted more than any other group on campus. Students involved with criminal hate acts can be prosecuted and put through the campus judicial process, according to Barnwell. Sheila Smith McKoy, director of the African American Cultural Center, said in order to fully understand the problem, the difference between hate speech and free speech must be clearly defined. “It is critical that we understand the difference between [free speech and hate speech],” Smith McKoy said. “We are not empowered for hate speech,
though free speech is certainly pro- human justice to be hallmark,” Smith McKoy said. “[These incidents] are tected.” Paul Cash, senior in political science just backlashes of people’s inability and president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi- to understand that change is coming.” Barnwell echoed Smith McKoy’s sexual, Transgender Community Alliance, said the University atmosphere thoughts and said it would take a larger campus effort to combat hate is conducive for hate speech. “Universities, to a degree, shelter speech. “[These incidents] occur because a lot of students from the everyday world,” Cash said. “There are still a lot there is a lack of understanding and of people in the world that believe cer- an unwillingness to respect differing ideas and opintain types of citizens i on s ,” B a r nwe l l do not deserve equal said. “Stopping it is treatment. Students bigger than the poneed to be aware so lice department. We they are ready to deal need to continue to with it after graduapromote an inviting tion.” atmosphere where Racially charged everyone feels welhate incidents have come and where also occurred rethere is an environcent ly, t he most ment that is open to notable being the Paul Cash, president of GLBT seeking understandpainting of racial ing and respecting slurs on the Free Expression Tunnel the night before the differences.” Rachel Turner, junior in biological 2008 presidential election, and again sciences and student senator, said inin Nov. 2010. Smith McKoy said she thinks these cidents like these make the University incidents can be attributed to a wider look bad, but do not reflect the opinion of the entire student body. national problem. “[These incidents] definitely shine “I think it’s part of a larger issue nationwide where it’s critical that we a negative light on the University as a go through the kind of changes that whole,” Turner said. “I think that to are necessary for human rights and most students it is disappointing that
“Universities, to a degree, shelter a lot of students from the everyday world.”
these hate crimes still happen on campus. The University has high standards and these crimes are not representative of that.” In light of the recent vandalism of the GLBT Center, many campus leaders say incidents like these are good opportunities to create constructive dialog. Barnwell said understanding what free speech entails and using it as an avenue for learning is the way to combat hate speech. “The First Amendment allows people the ability to express themselves and their beliefs without fear of prosecution,” Barnwell said. “The University is an arena where there are always going to be differing ideas and beliefs, and the University needs to continue to strive for understanding and respect for all.” Justine Hollingshead, director of the GLBT Center, said incidents like this must be used as a learning opportunity in order to stop hate incidents. “Utilizing situations that occur as a conversation point, whether it’s the comments painted in the Free Expression Tunnel about President Obama or the incident [at the
Nielsen said, “One of the first rules is that it’s about the audience, not the speaker.” The presentation began by explaining how learning such skills would be beneficial to their futures. Giving a Lauren Vanderveen department seminar, teaching, grant Staff writer proposals and job interviews were a Targeting the needs of graduate stu- few examples given. The five fundamentals – content and dents and postdocs, a seminar entitled “Speaking Skills for Success” was held style, organization, practice, perforin the Talley Student Center Walnut mance and visual aids – were also heavily discussed. Room Monday. “Brainstorming is Larry Nielsen, who essential,” Nielsen held the position of added. provost from Jan. In fact, he took his 2005 until May 2009, own advice by doing now a professor of an assortment of acnatural resources, tivities to engage led the two-hour his audience. One course on how to opactivity was a braintimize public speakstorming board for ing abilities. Larry Nielsen, former provost the life of a graduate “When I was prostudent. Nielsen also vost I did, on average, five speeches per day. So I’ve performed a juggling demonstration probably done thousands of speeches,” as a metaphor of what happens when
“One of the first rules is that it’s about the audience, not the speaker.”
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you have too many main points in a speech. In order to get the members at the seminar to see what audiences notice during speeches, Nielsen asked for individuals to call out their pet peeves of speakers to whom they’ve listened. Some answers included monotone voice, overuse of “um”, speaking too fast and reading off the board. Public speaking for people, in general, is one of the highest-ranked fears. “I know you’re shy or you’re embarrassed. But just on your own, get it out, say it,” Nielsen said, “In grad school, I was physically ill every time I had to get up and talk. [However], most people in the audience do want you to succeed because they know they’ll be up there eventually.” Syanne Olson, a graduate in English, said she believes public speaking skills should be a top priority. “Public speaking is one of the cornerstones of a well rounded individual. The ability to communicate with others and to do it well is essen-
Presenter aims to raise awareness about ‘the silent killer’ A seminar is being held today to discuss the importance of awareness for Hepatitis C. Anna Riley Staff writer
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is set to host an informative event about Hepatitis C at the College of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday. The presentation, led by N.C. Hepatitis C coordinator and nurse Susan Thompson, will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room D-236, and is open to all faculty and students of state and federal organizations. “It’s about increasing people’s awareness,” Thompson said. Known as “The Silent Killer,” Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that primarily affects the liver, and is spread by blood-to-blood contact. The disease is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that manifests itself as a blood-borne germ. Hepatitis C, in disease form, is asymptomatic and can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure. According to Thompson, sharing needles and drug paraphernalia is the most widespread risk factor for the acute form of Hepatitis C. She said the danger of sharing needles
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insidetechnician
Underwater Robotics Club sinks competition
Club returned to international competition to improve performance and knock competition out of water. See page 6.
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Former provost teaches speaking seminar Former provost spoke to students about good public speaking techniques.
october
Raleigh, North Carolina
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ate speech is something that occurs across the nation and our University is no exception.
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tial in academia and even more so in the professional world. Public speaking facilitates the exchange of ideas and opens the door for further learning opportunities,” Olson said. Julie Canawin, another graduate student, attended the seminar and commented on its effectiveness. Canawin said, “He led by example and allowed us to see a demonstration of how to be an effective speaker. We are all going to have to [publicly speak]. It’s good to get some prep work under you and learn how to do it right so that it’s not so stressful. I’d recommend [the seminar] to anybody.” The University will be providing other opportunities for graduate students to gain invaluable information. “Business Emails that Work” and “Elements of Assertiveness” are just a few of the sessions that will be hosted in Talley Student Center this week.
Using microscopic algae to solve big fuel problems
Plant biologist Heikewinter-Seteroff and her team investigate the prospects of algae biofuel. See page 6.
Wolfpack embraces ‘College Night’
State students take full advantage of discounted ticket prices. See page 8.
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